LES 2: Logic and Medical Sciences

Richard Paul & Linda Elder

Founders of the Universal Intellectual Standards of Critical Thinking

Universal Intellectual Standards of Critical Thinking

Set of guidelines that help people evaluate the quality of their reasoning

1. Clarity

2. Accuracy

3. Precision

4. Relevance

5. Depth

6. Breadth

7. Logicalness

8. Significance

9. Fairness

9 Essential Intellectual Standards

Clarity

One of the essential intellectual standards

Making ideas understandable and free from confusion

Clarity

What is the intellectual standard exhibited in the following situation:

Instead of nurse saying “Take this medication as needed” specify the exact dosage and symptoms it treats

Accuracy

One of the essential intellectual standards

Ensuring statements are true and free from errors

Nursing decisions must be based on verified, accurate data

Accuracy

What is the intellectual standard exhibited in the following situation:

Before administering a medication, the nurse double-checks the prescription and patient history for allergies

Precision

One of the essential intellectual standards

Providing specific and detailed information

Precision

What is the intellectual standard exhibited in the following situation:

Instead of documenting “Patient in pain” specify “Patient reports 7/10 pain in lower back, sharp, and constant”

Relevance

One of the essential intellectual standards

Ensuring information directly relates to the topic

Relevance

What is the intellectual standard exhibited in the following situation:

When treating a patient’s allergic reaction, their job history may not be necessary, rather their history of medication allergies is

Depth

One of the essential intellectual standards

Considering the complexities of an issue

Nursing care must consider all contributing factors to a patient’s conditions

Depth

What is the intellectual standard exhibited in the following situation:

Simply telling a diabetic patient to “eat healthy” ignores social, financial, and psychological barriers

Breadth

One of the essential intellectual standards

Considering multiple viewpoints and perspectives, evaluating them fairly

Nurses must look at issues from different viewpoints, including patients, families, and the healthcare team

Breadth

What is the intellectual standard exhibited in the following situation:

A patient refusing treatment may have multiple religious or cultural reasons that need to be understood and respected

Logic/Logicalness

One of the essential intellectual standards

Ensuring thoughts and arguments make sense together

__ thinking avoids contradictions and ensures coherence

Nurses should ensure symptoms, test results, and interventions align together

Logic/Logicalness

What is the intellectual standard exhibited in the following situation:

If a patient is experiencing dizziness but has normal BP, other causes should be investigated instead of assuming hypotension

Significance

One of the essential intellectual standards

Focusing on the most important aspects of an issue

Nurse must focus on life-threatening issues before less urgent ones

Significance

What is the intellectual standard exhibited in the following situation:

A patient with breathing difficulties should be treated before a patient with mild back pain

Fairness

One of the essential intellectual standards

Being unbiased and just in reasoning

This avoids favoritism, dishonesty, and self-interest

All patients should receive the same level of care regardless of background

Fairness

What is the intellectual standard exhibited in the following situation:

A nurse should provide pain management equally, regardless of assumptions about a patient’s pain tolerance